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David Ferrell Named Head Men's Basketball Coach

Clarksville, Ark.-David Ferrell was named the new head men's basketball coach, it was announced by Athletics Director Jimmy Clark Wednesday.

Ferrell has spent the last 21 years as the head boy’s basketball coach at West Fork High School where he posted a 458-176 (.733) record and made eight trips to the state tournament. He has compiled a 510-202 (.716) career record in 24 years as a head coach at Shiloh Christian, Lincoln, Gravette and West Fork. Ferrell, who has never had a losing season, won six conference championships and two regional championships at WFHS. He led the 2010-2011 Tigers to its best season in school history with a 34-3 record and an appearance in the state championship game. Over the last three seasons, Ferrell owned the school’s best three-year run with an 87-18 mark. Ferrell was voted the head coach of the Arkansas High Coaches Association (AHSCA) All-Star Game in 1994 and 2011.

“I am very excited about hiring David Ferrell as our basketball coach,” said Clark. “The fact that he has won more than 500 high school games in Arkansas, and has been involved with a number of basketball organizations in the state, provides our program with visibility and recognition. His reputation as a coach and a person gives the program immediate interest. He has tremendous connections within the state.”

“The connections he has fostered within the state will allow him to recruit the type of student-athlete we need at Ozarks. He will be a good ambassador for the school. And, I believe he will generate local excitement within the community. He also understands we are about educating young men and developing them.”

Ferrell, who has worked alongside Gus Malzahn, Mike Anderson and Jimmy Dykes during his coaching career, currently serves as the Vice-President of the Arkansas High School Basketball Coaches Association.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” said Ferrell. “It is any coach’s dream to coach at the college level. I just knew it was the right time for me. And, it is icing on the cake to be able to coach my son for four more years and be with my daughter, who is the assistant women’s coach. My family and I absolutely love the university. But the most difficult thing in this profession is to leave the school where you’ve been so long. West Fork is a special place to me and I believe it is the best high school job in Arkansas.”

Ferrell’s on-the-court philosophy includes playing a fast-paced offensive style as well as taking three-point shots in any offensive set.

“I prefer to play a fast-paced game and shoot a high percentage from the three-point line,” he said. “I like to press and play fast on defense, too. It is a fun system to play in and the one key to it is effort.”

During his career at WFHS, his teams won 27 different tournaments over 21 years. Ferrell produced 15 All-State players and 10 college players during his tenure. He was the Conference Coach of the Year eight times and was named the Northwest Arkansas Media Small Schools Coach of the Year in 2011. He founded the popular Arkansas Athletes Outreach Top-25 basketball camp in 1995. Ferrell has also been the athletics director the past 12 years.

“I am sold on the quality education the University of the Ozarks offers,” he said. “The school has figured it out. I am thankful the professors are so supportive. The student-teacher ratio is a great benefit also.”

Ferrell received his bachelor’s degree and master's degree in Physical Education from University of Arkansas.

Ferrell and his wife, Kelly, are the parents of three children. Josh will be a freshman guard for the Eagles, daughter Jassa is a student at the University of Central Arkansas and daughter Jordyn is the assistant women’s basketball coach.

Ferrell becomes the 17th head coach in program history and replaces Doug Boxell, who resigned after four seasons at Ozarks.